Each Reaper is a sapient life form controlled by a gestalt artificial intelligence. They are created by melting down millions of selected specimens from an organic species and using their DNA material to embody the species in the Reaper.

Each Reaper is a sapient life form controlled by a gestalt artificial intelligence. They are created by melting down millions of selected specimens from an organic species and using their DNA material to embody the species in the Reaper.

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A Reaper is actually a gigantic [[cyborg]]. A synthetic shell modeled after the first Reaper is constructed around the organic core. The shell is armored and protected by powerful kinetic barriers. A Reaper is armed with one or more main guns that fire streams of molten iron-uranium-tungsten alloy accelerated to a significant fraction of c, with a range measured at tens of thousands of kilometers. They also mount [[point defense|laser defenses]] for shooting down enemy fighters and missiles.

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A Reaper is actually a gigantic [[cyborg]]. A synthetic shell modeled after the first Reaper is constructed around the organic core. The shell is armored and protected by powerful [[kinetic barrier]]s. A Reaper is armed with one or more main guns that fire streams of molten iron-uranium-tungsten alloy accelerated to a significant fraction of c, with a range measured at tens of thousands of kilometers. They also mount [[point defense|laser defenses]] for shooting down enemy fighters and missiles.

An especially dangerous capability of the Reapers is indoctrination. Reapers produce an energy field that slowly alters the limbic systems of the brains of sapient species. Prolonged exposure to the field will cause those exposed to be controlled by the Reapers unquestioningly. However, the more control a Reaper exerts over its victims, the less competent the victim becomes. Some devices created by Reapers also generate this field, and the body of a dead Reaper can still indoctrinate beings in its vicinity.

An especially dangerous capability of the Reapers is indoctrination. Reapers produce an energy field that slowly alters the limbic systems of the brains of sapient species. Prolonged exposure to the field will cause those exposed to be controlled by the Reapers unquestioningly. However, the more control a Reaper exerts over its victims, the less competent the victim becomes. Some devices created by Reapers also generate this field, and the body of a dead Reaper can still indoctrinate beings in its vicinity.